Setting S.M.A.R.T Goals For Fitness

With the year coming to an end, many of us make the resolution to get in shape and start living healthier for the New Year, but by March, we have a million excuses why we will start it up again next week. But what if I told you there was a better way? What if you could set yourself up with a better chance of success in 2013?  With a strong commitment and the necessary tools you can be successful in your journey to good health and fitness by setting REALISTIC GOALS, also known as S.M.A.R.T Goals.

SMART is an acronym that stands for:

S – Specific

M – Measurable

A – Attainable

R – Realistic

T – Trackable

Using the SMART goal method you can create a system in which your fitness program will seem to schedule  itself.

S – Specific Fitness Goals

These goals make you ask Who, What, When, Where and Why. No matter what you might want to achieve, put this in writing so you can see what your main goals are. For example A general goal would be, “Get in shape.” But a specific goal would say, “Join Art Fitness and workout 3 days a week.”

M – Measure Fitness Goals

Establish concrete criteria for measuring progress toward the fitness goal you set. When you measure your progress, you stay on track, reach your target dates, and experience the exhilaration of achievement that spurs you on to continued effort required to reach your goal. To determine if your goal is measurable, ask questions such as……How much? How many? How will I know when it is accomplished?

A – Attainable Fitness Goals

When you identify goals that are most important to you, you begin to figure out ways you can make them come true. You develop the attitudes, abilities, and skills to reach them. You begin seeing previously overlooked opportunities to bring yourself closer to the achievement of your goals. You can attain most any goal you set when you plan your steps wisely and establish a time frame that allows you to carry out those steps. Goals that may have seemed far away and out of reach eventually move closer and become attainable, not because your goals shrink, but because you grow and expand to match them. When you list your goals you build your self-image. You see yourself as worthy of these goals, and develop the traits and personality that allow you to possess them.

R – Realistic Fitness Goals

To be realistic, a goal must represent an objective toward which you are both willing and able to work. A goal can be both high and realistic; you are the only one who can decide just how high your goal should be. But be sure that every goal represents substantial progress. A high goal is frequently easier to reach than a low one because a low goal exerts low motivational force. Some of the hardest jobs you ever accomplished actually seem easy simply because they were a labor of love.

T – Time Specific Fitness Goals

A goal should be grounded within a time frame. With no time frame tied to it there’s no sense of urgency. If you want to lose 10 lbs, when do you want to lose it by? “Someday” won’t work. But if you anchor it within a timeframe, “by May 1st”, then you’ve set your unconscious mind into motion to begin working on the goal

Alisa is the owner of Art Fitness, an Exclusive Fitness Studio in Wilmington. After researching the growing epidemic of chronic illnesses and the obesity rate in the United States reaching all times highs Alisa felt it was time to take drastic measures to teach individuals how important their body is and small changes every day can be the difference between life and death. Alisa has modeled Art Fitness to be a facility that eliminates intimidation and offers a platform for education, compassion and healthy lifestyle changes without gimmicks or quick fix promises. Alisa has been a Fitness Professional for over 7 years, certified through NASM (National Association of Sports Medicine) #1 nationally recognized certification. Alisa is also the 2012 YWCA recipient of the Empowerment Award. Alisa strongly believes it takes a strong support system to break old habits and make committed changes, it is top priority that Alisa delivers to each person she comes in contact with the motivation and encouragement needed to achieve not only fitness goals but lifelong goals as well.

Testimonials:

•  “The Art Fitness staff is both enjoyable and energetic. Workouts are never boring! Whether you have 1 on 1 session or take advantage of the group class, the trainers help design workouts to fit your needs. After just a few short weeks I can already see and feel the difference. Working out use to be a painful experience until I came to Art Fitness, now it is the highlight of my day!”    ~ Erica M.

•  “I’ve done numerous gym memberships in the past, but I have faithfully taking advantage of all that Art Fitness has to offer and I am happier and healthier for it. The atmosphere is pleasant, the staff is professional and friendly and the music rocks! I am losing weight, toning my body and creating habits that will do my body good. I highly recommend Art Fitness Studio!”    ~ Teddie